When you’re facing breast cancer, it can help to talk it through with someone who’s been there too. A listening ear from someone who understands might be especially welcome whilst we’re all living with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
Speak to someone who understands
The Someone Like Me service can put you in touch with one of our volunteers who can support you by telephone. You’ll speak to someone who’s finished their treatment and has been trained to help – perhaps you’d find it helpful to talk to someone who has personal experience of the challenges you are facing or someone that can simply offer a listening ear during the coronavirus outbreak.
Our volunteers can support you if:
- you’ve had a primary breast cancer diagnosis
- you’re undergoing genetic testing or have a genetic diagnosis
- you’re a partner, family member or friend or someone affected
- you have or have had primary breast cancer and are feeling isolated due to the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
If you prefer, you can also chat to one of our volunteers through our email support service.
How does it work?
If you’d like to talk to a volunteer by ‘phone, you can contact us using the webform below. Please be aware that we are currently operating with reduced staff but we will do our best to contact you within 3 working days.
If you’d like to speak to us sooner, you can call 0800 138 6551 (free phone). We’re open Monday – Thursday, 9-5pm and Friday 9-4pm.
When we speak to you, we’ll ask you a few questions about yourself to find out the most important issues for you right now. You might want to be matched with someone who’s had the same diagnosis and needed to make similar decisions about treatment or surgery. Or you might want to speak to someone of a similar age, with similar personal circumstances who understands how you may be feeling. Or you may be self-isolating or shielding and missing friends and family who usually support you. We’ll always take into account what’s most important for you.
What support will I receive?
Our volunteers can support you at any point, whether you’ve recently had a diagnosis, are mid-way through treatment or are trying to regain a sense of normality when treatments have ended.
Your volunteer will:
- listen without judgment
- offer emotional support and practical tips
- share their own experiences where relevant
- support you if you need to make informed decisions
- be there for you if you just need someone to talk to
Speaking to someone who’d had such a similar diagnosis and treatment and who felt all the things I was feeling was absolutely invaluable.